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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Measuring Up by Nyrae Dawn Character Interview, Giveaway and Book Review!

I am so excited to be able to share this amazing book with you today. I knew Nyrae was awesome but after finishing this book, she just proved how great her writing really is. In fact she is just full of awesomeness.

I don't even think my review will do this book justice, which makes me a little sad but I hope either way, this is one book you add to your TBR pile and read...soon, like maybe right after you finish reading this post soon. Truly don't miss out on this book, you would really regret it. This is one book I will be re-reading again I loved it that much.

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old
Annabel Conway is tired of the Hillcrest High School elite making her
life miserable because she’s not a size two. This summer, she's hiring a
personal trainer to help her lose weight.

Annabel doesn’t
expect her trainer to be a gorgeous guy around her age. Boys like Tegan
are jerks. They pretend to like girls like her so they can make an idiot
out of them. Been there, done that. Totally not going there again. She
kind of hates him on principal. Blond. Muscular. Funny. It doesn’t help
that he knows her measurements!

Soon, Tegan's so much more than
that. He’s the boy who teaches her to box when she has a bad day. Who
jogs with her and lets her set the pace. Who kisses her until she melts.
He makes her feel beautiful regardless of what the scale says. Unlike
her mom, he doesn’t expect perfection, and he doesn't try to shield her
from the world like her dad and best friend. Tegan likes her the way she
is.

But what happens when he’s not there? He can’t always be there…

Will
Annabel be able to stand on her own and learn that she already measures
up? That her worth doesn’t lie in what the world thinks, the scale
says, or even what Tegan tells her—but in herself?

Sounds pretty good right? Well that isn't all.

Not only can Nyrae write a great book and amazing characters, but she
talked them into coming here today and doing an interview with me. I
mean, how awesome is that?

Character Interview:

MGO: "Thank you so much Annabel and Tegan for being here today, I am so excited that you agreed to answer a few questions for us! I absolutely loved reading about you two!"

(gets slightly distracted by the cuteness that is this couple)

Umm, yeah, anyways, as I was saying, I just loved all the wonderful messages that were in this book. You two, well you two are amazing. (hmm, I seem to be saying that word a lot).

My first question is for Tegan, what were your first thoughts of
Anabel when you saw her for the first time in the parking lot of the
gym? (I would tell you to be honest, but it seems I don't have to. You
pretty much have that covered already. ;) )

Tegan: "Hahaha. Yeah, I’m good with the
honesty thing. I can’t really say exactly what it is I thought. I
was intrigued. She had this determined look on her face, but then
she’d back down. I knew she had fight in her because every time she
walked away, she turned around and fought her way back until she made
it inside. I respect that kind of strength."

MGO: "Annabel, what woudl you say you love most about Tegan? I know, I know, this questions really isn't a fair one, I mean, I am practically in love with him, he really is fantastic but, what is the one thing you just love about him most?"

Tegan: "My Abs."

Annabel: *Annabel swats him* "It is not
your abs… though they are kind of nice. I love how good he is. Like
you said in the beginning, he’s honest and real. He looks for
what’s inside of people and doesn’t judge on anything else. It’s
incredible"

*Tegan leans over and kisses her*

MGO: "Awwww! Alright Tegan, what would you say has been your favorite date with Annabel so far?"

Tegan: "Probably the first one. You read
it, right? That kiss? The whole day? Yeah…I was definitely into
that date. We have fun just chillin’ though. I like running with
her. Food fights are cool too. The first one ended nicely…."

MGO: *clears throat and blushes slightly "Umm, yes, yes it did. *clears throat again.* My, is it hot in here?"
Annabel as a fan of the paranormal,
which would you rather kiss? A werewolf, a fairy or a vampire? And no cheating and choosing Tegan,
however tempting thinking about kissing him may be, because I am
pretty sure he isn't paranormal. (squints eyes and peers at him
for a moment) At least I don't think he is..."

Annabel: "Hahaha. I have to admit, I’ve
been reading a lot more realistic fiction lately. Paranormal is
great, but now, there’s something special about seeing everyday
girls like myself get their happily ever after. Girls who don’t
have powers, or destiny or anything like that. They’re just real
and they can get the guy too. They might not save the world or a
race, but we can save ourselves and that’s pretty cool."

Tegan: "Okay, I don’t know why,
but what you just said was really hot"

Annabel: *Annabel winks at him* "If I had
to choose though, I’d probably say a vampire. Werewolves are too
hairy."

MGO: "Okay, I have to ask, smoothies? Really Tegan? What is the deal with your obsession with smoothies?"

Tegan: "Not JUST smoothies. It’s has to
be berry, berry blast. If you ever had one, you’d understand"

MGO: "What do you two most look forward to in
the future?"

Annabel: "That’s
hard. I’m enjoying the present. I’m excited to be in college with
Tegan next year. That’ll be a new chapter for us. Something else
for us to figure out together, I guess."

Tegan: " What she said. Hahaha."

MGO: "Okay last question I promise. This just might be the most important one too, are you ready for it?

I don't want to give anything away
about your story but I know you both learned a lot along the way,
about life, about yourself and about each other. Really your story
was a beautiful one that I know I will read over and over again. I
loved the secondary characters almost as much as I loved you guys,
especially Tim, for some reason he just stole my heart with his funny
cute ways and big heart.

So I guessmy last question is this (tries to keep a serious face) Annabel, if Tim were older, say you know, closer to your age, would be have given Tegan and run for his money?"

Annabel:*laughs hysterically* "That’s
great. I love Tim. He’s a fantastic kid and a girl will be lucky to
have him one day, but he’s like a brother to me. For me, it’s
always been Tegan."

MGO: "Awww! You two are so adorable. Thank you so much for being here today!! I wish you all the best!!"

Tegan and Annabel: "Thanks for having us!"

My Thoughts and Review on Measuring Up:

Before I even got to the actual book,
the dedication page captured my heart. Truer words were never spoken.

Annabel. I couldn't help but love
Annabel. How many of us (especially woman) haven't hated something
about ourselves, especially in high school. Whether it was our weight
or our height. Our looks, our clothes, what we drove, where we lived,
maybe even our family. Being a teenager is a tough time, especially
with peer pressure and all the insecurities that come with just being
young and trying to find your place in the world.

My heart really went out to her and for
her and really for anyone that has ever been in her place before. Her
self esteem was pretty much nonexistant and I just wanted to give her
a great big hug and tell her she was so much more than outside
appearances. And then, I hate to say it, but then, I wanted to smack
her mother. What kind of mother does and says those things to their
child?

Sadly, I know it happens. Every.
Single. Day. And that is just heartbreaking.

Annabel's voice felt so real. I loved
her sarcasm, her innocence and her goodness too. And I loved that she
was strong, even when she didn't think she was, she was.

Her Dad, gah, I think I love that man!
He was just awesome and I was so thankful that she had him as her
father. He was everything a father should be to his little girl.

Can I talk about Tegan now? I seriously
loved him, more so than I have in a long time with a male
protagonist. There were the obvious reasons to like him of course,
how good he was, his kindness, how hard he worked for his family, his
goodness and yes, the hottness factor too but there were other things
too, little things that just added up and made him a really great
character.

This was such an inspirational story
about being true to oneself, having faith and believing that anything
is possible and not letting others opinions about us, define who we
are.

This is a story with characters that I
will be thinking about long after I have set the book down, long
after their story is over.

It is going to be really hard picking
something up next and not wanting to compare the two and not missing
Annabel and Tegan and all their greatness.

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About Me

I am a full time mom and avid reader. When I am not playing dress up or chasing down lost toys and wrestling with the never ending pile of laundry, I read. Actually, I read whenever I get the chance. I love many different genres and would have a hard time choosing just one favorite book. And yes I really am obsessed with books, in fact I might be a book hoarder. Thankfully I have a Kindle and no one is the wiser to my vastly growing collection of books.